WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of tax day, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) hosted a news conference call as he introduces the Working Families Tax Relief Act.

  • Brown’s tax cuts would benefit 4 million Ohioans, including 1.7 million children in the state.   

At a time when wages are stagnant and the cost of childcare has exploded, the Working Families Tax Relief Act would cut taxes for workers and families by expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). EITC and CTC are two of the most effective tools we have to put money in the pockets of working people and pull children out of poverty. Expanding them will give millions more Americans a foothold in the middle class. 

The bill also allows workers to draw a $500 advance payment on their EITC so that families aren’t forced to turn to predatory payday lenders when the car breaks down or other unexpected expenses come up.  Payday loans are generally made to individuals who are working and often eligible for the EITC. The average payday loan is about $375. 

Meanwhile, Americans are filing their taxes and more people are seeing President Trump’s and the Congressional Republicans’ tax scam for what it really was – a handout to millionaires and billionaires at the expense of working families. The Working Families Tax Relief Act would cut taxes for workers and families left behind by the President’s tax law.   

“All across the country, families are working harder than ever but have less and less to show for it. Corporate profits have soared, executive compensation has exploded, but wages are flat. Meanwhile the cost of everything from healthcare to education and housing is up,” said Brown. “Our bill would help put more money back in the pockets of working families and set children up for future success.” 

Brown was joined on today’s call by Ms. Te’Jal Cartwright from Dayton, whose family relies on the EITC and the CTC to make ends meet. Ms. Cartwright talked about the importance of Brown’s bill for working families. 

“At the end of the day, kids are our future. It’s so important that we invest in our nation’s youngest learners, and we can’t do that without supporting the families that are raising them. Creating tax policies that support working families - instead of giving more tax breaks to billionaires and corporations - is a huge priority for my family and countless others in Ohio. I thank Senator Brown for introducing this impactful legislation and hope Congress will make it a high priority, too, and pass the Working Families Tax Relief Act as soon as possible. I know how much it would help my family,” said Ms. Cartwright. 

The Working Families Tax Relief Act would:

  • Boost the incomes of 46 million households and 114 million people, including 43 million children. 
  • Lift 7 million people out of poverty, including 3 million children. 
  • Expand the EITC for families with children by roughly 25 percent. 
  • Allow workers to draw a $500 advance payment on their EITC so that families aren’t forced to turn to predatory payday lenders when the car breaks down or other unexpected expenses come up. The average payday loan is about $375.
  • Significantly expand the EITC for workers without children and make the credit available for people starting at age 19 up to age 67. Currently, workers without children can be pulled under the poverty line by taxes. Expanding the EITC would fix that.  
  • Make the CTC fully refundable, so the more than 26 million children who were left out of the Trump tax law get the support they deserve. 
  • Create a Young Child Tax Credit to provide extra support to children five and under, when research says they need it most.  

Read more about the bill HERE. 

Along with Senators Brown, Michael Bennet (D-CO), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), cosponsors of the bill include: Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Tom Carper (D-DE), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Bob Menendez (NJ), Benjamin Cardin (MD) Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Bob Casey (D- PA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jon Tester (D-MT), Tom Udall (D-NM), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (HI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Angus King (I-ME), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Gary Peters (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D0-IL), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tina Smith (MN), Doug Jones (AL) and Jacky Rosen (NV).

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